ORBISAT
Mining and Geological Exploration
Satellite images provide a unique perspective of the Earth, its resources and human impact. These images allow a global view of the Earth's surface, revealing relationships invisible from the ground. In mining, having this global context is essential to optimize operations, reduce costs and minimize environmental impacts.
Satellite images are essential tools for mining exploration. They provide geologists and field teams with the location of trails, roads and uninhabited areas, facilitating the creation of access maps and environmental impact assessments. These images are also useful for mapping rock outcrops, regolith systems, and vegetation cover.
Thanks to the satellites' multiple bands, geologists can interpret non-visible wavelengths, such as near infrared, shortwave infrared, and thermal infrared, to identify features of the Earth's surface. Multispectral images and thematic maps allow the collection of reflection and absorption data from soils, rocks and vegetation, helping in the interpretation of lithologies and the identification of clays, oxides and soil types.
Benefits of satellite images in mining:
Digital: Digital images do not require data conversions, scans or digitizations. They are ready to be loaded and used immediately with GIS or image processing systems.
Fast: Satellites in stable orbits can quickly capture images of their area of interest, with revisit periods ranging from minutes to 15 days.
Economical: Acquiring satellite images is more economical than flying or taking aerial photographs, especially when covering large areas of land.
Global: Satellites are not limited by political or geographic borders, obtaining images of any area, regardless of its location.
Updated: Satellite images provide updated information, crucial for decision-making in mining projects.
Accurate: Raw satellite images are accurate and objective representations of the Earth's surface.
Flexible: The processing and extraction of information from satellite images can be adapted to different levels of complexity, allowing quick conclusions to be drawn or detailed analyzes to be carried out.
Types of satellite data provided by Orbisat:
Multispectral Data: Access low- and high-resolution data for cost-effective change detection or capture more detail for visual inspection at higher resolutions.
Hyperspectral Data: Collect detailed data on the mineral composition of rocks and soil with hyperspectral data.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): Quickly and accurately map large areas, including remote and dangerous locations, even in low-light and challenging atmospheric conditions. (SAR data provided by third parties)
Applications of Satellite Images in Mining
Monitor Sites
Satellite imagery can be used to monitor site integrity and production, replacing costly visual inspections and field visits. This allows for continuous and detailed monitoring, improving safety and operational efficiency.
Optimize Exploration
Identify areas for resource exploration or map the distribution of minerals and other resources. Satellite images allow accurate assessment of large areas, making it easier to identify mineral deposits and reducing exploration costs.
Maintain Compliance
Use satellite imagery to identify safety risks, monitor environmental impact, and meet regulatory requirements. The ability to observe changes and trends over time helps ensure regulatory compliance and proactively manage environmental risks.
Additional benefits of Orbisat for mining:
Affordable Global Coverage: We offer large-scale remote asset monitoring with continuous coverage, helping to detect changes, accelerate response and mitigate risks.
Reduction of Operational Costs: Satellite images reduce the need for field visits and allow more efficient management of resources.
Illicit Activity Prevention: Detect nearby intrusions and suspicious activity for rapid response, using visual evidence when necessary.
Improved Change Detection: Track construction, assess damage, and identify changes that may impact safe operations.
Regulatory Compliance: Track environmental impact and restoration for compliance, insurance and risk analysis.
Orbisat services in mining:
Orbisat specializes in remote sensing, satellite image processing and geospatial analytics. We offer services in acquisition, processing, analysis and interpretation of satellite data, ensuring high spectral quality and developing algorithms for mineral identification.
Our services include:
Acquisition and programming of high and medium spatial resolution satellite data.
Processing and interpretation of multispectral, hyperspectral and SAR images.
Digitization of geological plans and generation of cartography.
Orthorectification and georeferencing of images.
Creation of DEM and contour lines.
Structural and lithological interpretation.
Mapping of hydrothermal alterations.
Mapping of minerals such as ferric oxide, ferrous iron, silica, among others.
Interpretation of samples using PIMA and TerraSpec.
Identification of epithermal, porphyry, SKARN and other targets.
The benefits of using satellite images in mining are clear. They save time, reduce costs and provide global context, revealing hidden information and making it easier to perform all mining-related tasks. At Orbisat, we are committed to offering innovative and high-quality solutions to support mining exploration and exploitation in an efficient and sustainable manner.
To learn more about our mining solutions and how Orbisat can help you improve your operations, contact us today. We are here to help you make the most of satellite technology and get a more complete and accurate view of your mining projects.